Best restaurants outer east: CINQUE Ringwood, Carlos Cantina Ringwood, The Drop Cafe Boronia, Imm Oon Thai Lilydale
A Mexican favourite opening in Blackburn, a hidden gem Italian restaurant in Ringwood North, a homely cafe in Boronia and a popular Thai eatery in Lilydale are among the top choices for diners in the east.
Outer East
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Looking for a new restaurant or cafe to explore in the eastern suburbs?
Check out some of our top picks.
Cinque Ringwood
170 Warrandyte Rd, Ringwood North
A little slice of Italy is on offer at this hidden gem in Ringwood North.
Cinque is a true family affair – it is owned by five siblings and has a great family friendly vibe.
There’s lots of yummy Italian dishes on offer, including Roman style pizza and pasta.
Josephine Pezzimenti, who owns the restaurant with her sister Maria, and brothers
Joe, Anthony and Stephen, said the restaurant serves up traditional Italian food with a modern twist, aiming to “modernise the classics”.
Signature dishes include a tagliolini pasta with prawns, arancini, calamari with a squid ink mayo and a “heavenly” tiramisu.
The siblings were born and raised in the local area and love being part of the Ringwood North community.
“Our restaurant is comfortable, inviting, and has a great feel about it – it’s one of those places where you come and everyone knows everyone,” Josephine said.
It is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday.
Carlos Cantina
73 Railway Rd, Blackburn
A popular independent Mexican restaurant chain has opened in Blackburn.
It is Carlos Cantina’s third location, joining restaurants in Boronia and Croydon.
Owner Charles Tey said customers could expect to enjoy the restaurant’s popular Tex-Mex cuisine “done right”.
Popular items on the menu include cheesy nachos, sizzling fajitas, cheesy fries, hand-cut potato wedges, and of course margaritas.
A homemade chocolate mousse is a popular option for dessert.
The restaurant is open seven days from 5.30pm for dinner and customers can also order takeaway and delivery.
Margaritas are half price for the whole of July and customers can also enjoy 30 per cent off entrees and mains on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Margaritas are also half price every Friday.
The Drop in Cafe
5/260 Dorset Rd, Boronia
A homely and welcoming environment is on offer at The Drop In Cafe in Boronia.
Located opposite Boronia Mall, the cafe is like walking into a warm living room with lamps, old fashioned tables and chairs, cupboards, knick-knacks and beautiful cutlery and crockery.
Owner Alpa Patel said the cafe was previously based in the Aussie Veterans Op Shop in Erica Ave before she shifted into her new premises about eight years ago.
“I was walking my dog and saw this space for lease and I knew in my waters it was the right space” she said.
“I really wanted to create a place that resonated with the way I grew up (in East Africa).
“This is like my granny’s living room – she just fed people she didn’t know, everyone was welcome, I never knew how she did it with not much money but everyone was always eating and drinking and there were pots of chai tea boiling.
“And it was just that place if anyone had a problem they could sit around with a cup of tea and resolve their issues
“I thought it was really important to have more places like that in the world.”
Ms Patel said customers often told her it felt like home when they walked into the cafe.
“I like to give life to things that have been forgotten about,” she said.
“I think we have a special thing going here.”
Customers can choose from 47 different teas and enjoy a full tea service, from a unique cup and saucer.
There is also coffee, a full breakfast and lunch menu, and a range of homemade baked goodies including lemon slice and banana bread.
“People don’t leave here hungry,” Ms Patel said.
Imm Oon Thai Restaurant
133-139 Main St, Lilydale
Delicious authentic Thai dishes cooked from scratch and local wine and beer is on offer at this popular Lilydale restaurant.
Run by married couple Leon and Mai, Imm Oon Thai opened in the town’s Main Street back in 2017 and has become a firm favourite with local diners.
Leon said the restaurant had a rustic, homely, laid back atmosphere, where everybody was welcome.
They serve traditional Thai dishes with other Asian influences.
The crispy pork belly, Pad Prik Khing (stir-fried chilli kaffir lime jam with green beans), Chu Chee Barramundi (crispy barramundi fillet, with coconut chu chee curry sauce and kaffir
lime leaves) and Sticky Rice Mango (black sticky rice soaked in coconut sauce served with sliced mango) are among the popular items on the menu.
Leon said they aimed to provide a service that was good value for money
“We just wanted to provide something that is difficult for you to create at home,” he said.
“So you’re actually spending money on something that you couldn’t do at home or if you did you’d have to spend half a day cooking it.”
The restaurant also serves tap beer from Hop Hen Brewing in Lilydale and also serves up brews from Watts River in Healesville and Hargreaves Hill in Lilydale.
You can also enjoy a wine from Helen’s Hill Winery in Lilydale or Copperhead in Coldstream.
The restaurant is open for dinner every night from 5pm except Wednesdays.
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